Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-05-19
"HANp woaky IN SWEDEN.
How the Use Of implements Is Taught In
the scandinavian Peninsula.

HOW
the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Slojd, or hand work, Is the art of using
ordinary implements-such as knife, q
saw, hammer or a paint brush Mr..
Squeers seems to have had some shadowy
notion OF this system. "C-l-e-a-n, clean;
w-i-n-d-e i, window; now 60 and clean it.
said that practical person. Slojd teachingi is
to technical instruction what liberal ed
ucation il to professional training. It is
valued, not only as the first step toward
learning trade, but also as a training for
the faculties. Appreciation of form,
proper value of time and method. neat
ness of manipulation and habits of indus
try and self reliance are some of the bless
tings with which it is credited. Enthusi-
asts, moreover, hope that by including
manual work among ordinary school sub
jects bodily labor may in time be raised
from the low esteem where it too often
lies.
Slojd was invented by one Uno Cyg-
n9us, Fin, who, after qualifying in sew
eral handicrafts became a schoolmaster
and was commissioned to draw up re-
port, on which the Finnish system of gov
eminent schools Is based. In Sweden his
system was copied some fifteen years ago,
and it has there spread SO rapidly that in
many of the common schools slojd forms
part of the regular course. These who
view hand work merely as a training for
the faculties confine their teaching to
simple work in wood. But those who
value it also as subsidiary to technical in
struction teach slojd in many branches
and carry it beyond the use of the sim
piest tools. Bookbinding tinkering,
smiths work, pointing, basket making
shoemaking and tailoring are ameng their
subjects, and they spare no efforts t.
make the system attractive to pupils an
parents. At some schools pupils are a
lowed to keep what they have made, or 70
buy 1t chcaply; or, to secure continuous
attendance they are credited with deferred
pay, which they forfeit by leaving before
Il stipulated course has been completed.
On completion of the course the pupil II
presented with banl. book representing
biz accumulated earnings and receives
parting counsel to Increase them.
Tie parents sympathy is also angled
for. AT d school in 2 laboring district it
Is q riilc that pupils shall be taught to
Like ana nsc such common implements
al are most scrviceable 10 working people
-rckes, spatlcs, AK hall.lles and the like.
Assi<iuous yong Il, ,crs, tailOrs and shoe
makers are allowed tie use of school i'm
isiCilicllIS u HI~lAE Lie Lhully IGptlESj
thus exists il Sweden the phenomenon OF
u self rcpt:rin.s boz, who mends his own
raiment and cohh.es his own shoes
In Sweden, IN Norway and in Fin,
Land the system las proved most success
full. There seems no reason why it should
not be introduced and become equally
sacccssful lorc. Enc taste among non.
I...3c;iils, clt,sscs fcr using implements is
universal. Too often, however, the
l.ts..,ls tliGt Guide the implements are
.s.tlicr Jealous t;lan skillful But If
..c-.ools taught slojd. these manual short
coE.ings would be remedied. The tool
!. chest, now a Pandora's box Of evil, bring
ing terror t. patcrnal bosoms and impre
cations on the donor, would become a
blessing. Instead of amputating chair
ltgs or studding the furniture with tin
t.acks, its skilled possessor would do the
fa'nily's odd jobs. The penknife found in
tie pocket Of every schoolboy bat Macau-
Lays would whittle and carve, under due
supervision, to the advantage of the fit
tings and its owners fingers. Adults
would cease 70 slice their faces in vain at
: ielnpts to shave themselves; and to the
adept in sloj:!, the opening Of a meat tin
or sart!ine box would not mean lockjaw If
to the use Of ordinary tools some crafts like
bookbinding were added, brain workers
you'd grow up with q recreative hobby
ready made. -Even course of darnin9
and button sewing might not come amiss
10 youths intended for professions, where,
according, tc the registrar generals re
Turns, they will be condemned to bachler-
hood till 3d.. London Saturday Review.